Evaluation of surface markers and related genes of the human umbilical cord derived Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells

Background and purpose: Umbilical cord derived Wharton's jelly is an enriched and accessible ‎source of stem cells with highly proliferative and differentiation potential. This study aimed to evaluate the ‎surface markers and related genes of the stem cells isolated from the human Wharton's jelly.‎ Materials and methods: Explants of the human umbilical cord derived Wharton's jelly was dissected ‎and cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) supplemented with 20% Fetal bovine serum ‎‎(FBS). Then, those cells migrated from explant's boundary were replated and passaged in DMEM containing ‎‎10% FBS. Finally, by using flowcytometry and (Reverse–transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) RT-PCR ‎techniques different surface markers and related genes were analyzed.‎ Results: 5-7 days post-plating, the stem cells initiated the migration from cultured explants and ‎showed up to 80% densities on days 16-18. Light microscopy demonstrated two distinct cell populations ‎including fibroblast-like and flat endothelial-like cells. Dual staining with flowcytometry also revealed that ‎the cultured cells were found to be positive for CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105 and negative for CD34 and CD45. ‎RT-PCR showed no changes in CD marker expression pattern during different passages.‎ Conclusion: Human Wharton's jelly derived stem cells appear mesenchymal cell morphology and ‎express related surface markers but no hematopoietic stem cell markers.